AIRPORT--Rainfall totals are expected to be lower than usual in this month as well as in January and February 2019. Drought is expected to become a concern by the end of February, according to the Meteorological Department’s monthly Weather and Climate Bulletin. Daytime temperatures are expected to be near usual or warmer, while night-time temperatures are expected to be cooler than usual.
Rainfall totals for the three months are likely to be the usual or drier across the Lesser Antilles, the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao), Hispaniola and the US Virgin Islands. Within the 90 days, the normal rainfall total for St. Maarten ranges from 173 millimetres to 258mm/seven to 10 inches, with about 30-46 wet days.
Heavy showers become less frequent in December and January, and February tends to be dry as the dry season sets in.
Drought will become a concern for much of the Caribbean by the end of February 2019. Drought conditions are possible in St. Maarten by this time. Short-term drought is evolving in Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, Antigua, the Northern Bahamas, Guadeloupe and Dominica. Some of these countries may also be faced with a long-term drought risk.
February tends to be the sunniest of the next three months. The ultraviolet (UV) index is at its lowest in December and January and will quickly increase during February; therefore, sunscreen application is encouraged in February. On hot days, there will be an increased demand for cooling and hydration.
There may be an increase in allergens in the atmosphere from plant material (pollen) driven by increased wind speeds.
There may be accelerated mosquito proliferation in areas where water is stored in containers without protective mesh during this time of low rainfall activity.
Although temperatures are expected to be more comfortable, the risk of dehydration and other associated symptoms is possible during the daytime and dry spells.
Looking back, rainfall for November was within the normal range (85-170mm). A total of 152.4mm/six inches was recorded in 18 rain days. There were six 6 heavy rainfall days.
Generally, temperatures were either within the normal range or slightly higher than usual for November. The warmest day was November 1 with an average temperature of 28.4 degrees Celsius/83 degrees Fahrenheit. The days with the most sunshine hours were November 24 and 28; each had 10 hours and 48 minutes of sunshine. The day with the least sunshine hours was November 3 – zero hours or minutes of sunshine.
The windiest day was November 14, with a daily average wind speed of 14 knot /16 miles per hour.
Heavy rainfall occurred on November 10 due to instability across the area.
Skies were mostly fair during the month except for days with heavy rainfall.
Rainfall has been below the normal range for the last 12 months. December 2017 and March, June, July and September 2018 were below normal, while February 2018 was above the normal range. Overall there was a deficit in the amount of rainfall for the past year.
Total rainfall for the last three months was 408mm; this amount was within the normal range (356-498mm). There were 12 days with heavy rainfall measuring more than 10mm.
September, October and November 2018 were drier than the same period in 2017.
